Sitting across from her in the restaurant, amazed that this day was her 70th birthday, I carefully searched her face for signs of aging. Oh, there were some wrinkles, her hair was beginning to show signs of grey, yet my mom did not look a day over 60. She was amused when the waitress told me that I looked good for being 70 years old. We both chuckled over that as we ate our lunch.

Being the first born of four children, there was more expected of me than the others. For many years it appeared as though I was a big disappointment to my mom. On this, her day, she talked about the pride she had the day I was born. She mentioned many memories; my first day of school, my 8th grade graduation, my first published creative writing story in the school newspaper, my graduation from Nursing School. As she spoke, I could hear the joy, and pride in her voice of the many accomplishments in my life. Her greatest joy, as stated by her, is the fact that I am living my life to please Jesus.

My mind rushed back through memories of my own. Memories of my mom teaching me how to walk a barrel, showing me how to swing a bat, attempting to teach me how to crochet, showing me how to properly ride a horse, and how to drive a standard shift car. Mom never did teach me how to cook. Looking back that day, I realized there were so many things she had taught me.

My mom started parenting at a very young age, often telling me, “Children do not come with instruction books”. In spite of many errors in the process of raising four children, my mom is a great woman in my heart and mind. She did the very best she knew how.

With gentle hands she wiped away tears, and cleansed cut and bruised knees. With patience, and love, she taught us how to play as well as to stop and smell the roses. There was always a listening ear even when my concerns were trivial in nature. No matter what chores needed done, my mom would always stop for a hug or a kiss.

Mom is never too busy for me to hug her even now that I am a grown woman with grandchildren. Even now she teaches me important things in life.

The most important thing I can say about my mom is her relationship with God, with Jesus is amazing. Over the years I have watched her go through cancer, the loss of a child to death, the loss of her home to a fire, many things and yet her faith remains steady, firm and steadfast in Jesus her Savior. The most important lesson my mom has taught me in her 70 years is that Jesus is faithful.

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Seventy is sounding younger every day. :) Your Mom sounds wonderful (and as your title says "amazing"! (teaching you things like swing a bat, how to crochet, ride a horse and drive a car). I was happy to read of the most important lesson she taught you. I enjoyed reading this.

A beautiful tribute to your Mom, and you're so blessed to still have her in your life; not a day goes by that I don't miss my mother, and I hope one day to see her again in Heaven and be with her for eternity in a world made new. God bless.

I like this story. Your love for your Mom and for Christ comes through. But I keep thinking that your last paragraph would've made a good first paragragh. It shows us right from the start your mother's strength of character and her reliance on her faith.